She frowned, her thumb slipping from her mouth. She shuffled forward a step, a stubborn look crossing her face. The defiance in her move was clear. He actually felt his lips twitch. Oh, she was being a bit naughty tonight, was she?
“You’re too little to walk down them on your own, angel,” he said firmly. He was all too aware of Tom’s gaze on him. But the other man knew what he was. Bain knew Tom would never tell anyone about this.
She stomped her foot and shook her head. It kind of surprised him. She was usually very sweet and obedient in Little mode. Then again, he generally gave her what she wanted.
“Yes,” he said firmly. “You got a choice. I carry you and you get ice cream. Or you go to bed without any ice cream.”
Her lower lip dropped and then she held her arms up. She was so short, that even standing on a lower step, he was still taller than she was. Very carefully, he lifted her into his arms. She burrowed in against him. So trusting. Her small arms wrapped around his neck; her legs went around his waist. He placed one arm under that round ass.
Fuck. Thought this through, didn’t you, asshole?
He took a second, closing his eyes and breathing in the scent of her. He could smell the soap she’d used from her recent shower. But under all that was her scent.
A mix of citrus and vanilla. Which sounded like an odd combination, but it seemed to work.
“Good girl. Hold on.”
“Do you want any help?” Tom asked.
Bain shook his head. Tom called to Rugger, who looked from Arianna to Tom then back again.
“He can come,” Bain said then he turned and walked with his precious bundle downstairs. He settled her at the island on a stool.
She made a protesting noise and climbed off. Then she shocked him by wrapping her hand up in the back of his T-shirt, one he’d borrowed from Mac.
“Shh, Angel. Just getting your ice cream.”
Another whimper of protest. He looked down at her, but she was staring off into the distance. He decided to just go with it. It seemed she felt better being close to him. He opened the freezer door and found a tub of ice cream. Cookies and cream.
It would have to do. He searched through the cupboards with her still clinging to the back of his shirt. He pulled out a bowl and a spoon then scooped some ice cream out.
He set the bowl down then tried to turn and grab her. She just kept moving with him. If she wasn’t sleepwalking, he’d think she was playing with him.
“Ice cream’s ready. It will melt.” She didn’t move. Shit. “Let go of my shirt and come sit on the stool.” He made his voice sterner and it seemed to do the trick as she let go of his shirt.
She moved around to the stool; Jen’s teddy still held in one hand. He lifted her onto the stool. She sat and stared at the bowl of ice cream, not moving to grab the spoon. Her thumb moved into her mouth.
“Bab
y, what’s wrong?” he crooned, sitting on the stool next to her. He turned to her and she leaned into him, her side resting against his chest, her body between his open legs. He ran his hand up and down her back as she sucked on her thumb and held the teddy tight.
“Poor baby, you had such a rough night. Not surprising you’re out of sorts. Everything will be okay. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Fuck. He meant every word too. Christ. He knew he needed to talk to her about her sleepwalking. And sooner rather than later.
She buried her face in his chest. He ran his fingers gently through her thick hair which had once again become tangled. “Do you want me to feed you?”
She nodded and turned her face.
He helped her sit and spooned up a small mouthful of ice cream. She opened her mouth comically wide and he had to grin at the sight. He placed the spoon into her mouth, and she wrinkled her nose, giving him an upset look.
“I know, but it’s all Tom had.”
She sighed. A long, drawn out sigh that was filled with her displeasure but then she opened her mouth again. So she wasn’t happy that it wasn’t caramel, but not so upset that she wouldn’t keep eating.
He fed her the last few mouthfuls. Then put the bowl in the sink. He turned, not really surprised to find her right behind him. He was getting used to the way she kept managing to sneak up on him.
He lifted her against his hip, and she clung to him like a little monkey as he made his way up the stairs, Rugger on his heels. He set her down and she walked into the bedroom, yawning, the bear in her hand practically dragging on the ground. She moved to the bed then stood there. He stared at her in puzzlement. What was she waiting for?